Work Permits

About the process

An employer-specific work permit lets you work in Uk according to the conditions on your work permit, such as

Before you apply for an employer-specific work permit, your employer must give you

a copy of your employment contract
1 of the following:
- a copy of a labour market impact assessment (LMIA)
- an offer of employment number (for LMIA-exempt workers)
- To get this number, your employer must use the Employer Portal.

An open work permit lets you work for any employer in Uk, except for one that

is listed as ineligible on the list of employers who have failed to comply with the conditions, or
regularly offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages

You can only get an open work permit in specific situations.

Eligibility

work for a UK employer that’s been approved by the Home Office
have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from your employer with information about the role you’ve been offered in the UK
do a job that’s on the list of eligible occupations
be paid a minimum salary – how much depends on the type of work you do

A Skilled Worker visa allows you to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with an approved employer.

If you or your family are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

If you or your family member started living in the UK by 31 December 2020, you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme.

The deadline to apply was 30 June 2021 for most people. You can still apply if either:

you have a later deadline – for example, you’re joining a family member in the UK who was living in the UK by 31 December 2020
you have ‘reasonable grounds’ for being unable to apply by 30 June 2021 – for example, you had an illness or were the victim of domestic abuse